Technology and innovation driven information society research has
experienced a great shift in the methodological mindset of how the
technological developments affect the surrounding world—and cities in
particular. Originally theories and theorisations concerning
technological impacts of innovation and new media were literature-based
and lacking a proper empirical evidence-base to support the conceptual
aspects. In recent years empirical data sources have been developed and
empirical investigations concerning knowledge cities, smart cities,
technological embedding, and socioeconomic-technology relations have
gained more explanative power and interest within the academia. This
chapter provides an introduction to this part of the book.